Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g: Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
(: Heated Steering Wheel
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
Instruments and Controls 95
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 96
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 96
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 96
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Instrument Cluster (Base Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 109
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 110
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 111
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 111
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 115
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 116
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 117
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 118
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 118 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 118
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 119
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 119
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Brake System Messages . . . . . 126
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 126
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 126
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 129
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 129
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 129
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
114 Instruments and Controls
English Uplevel
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
status light comes on when the
parking brake is applied. If the light
continues flashing after the EPB is
released, or while driving, there is a
problem with the EPB system.
A message may also display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Brake System Messages
0 126.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
This light should come on briefly
when starting the vehicle. If it does
not come on, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with the Electric Parking
Brake system or another system on
the vehicle that is causing the
parking brake system to work at a
reduced level. The vehicle can still
be driven, but should be taken to a
dealer as soon as possible. See the
information for the Electric Parking
Brake under Parking Brake 0181.
If a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), see Brake
System Messages 0126.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS light comes on briefly
when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. A chime may also sound when
the light comes on steady. Then
start the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
Driving and Operating 155
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 160
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 160
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 166
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 176
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 182
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 185
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 188
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 195
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 196
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 202
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 207
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
158 Driving and Operating
Steering
Variable Effort Steering
Some vehicles have a steering
system that varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort
required is less at slower speeds to
make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At
faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel
to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under
Vehicle Messages
0 125.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.Curve Tips
. Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
Driving and Operating 161
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear. .
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick. .
Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0183.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0180.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
180 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 114. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Buick Regal Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9804381) - 2017 - crc - 8/30/16
182 Driving and Operating
EPB Release
To release the EPB:1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, Hill Start Assist (HSA)
may be useful when the vehicle is
stopped on a grade. This feature is
designed to prevent the vehicle from
rolling, either forward or rearward,
during vehicle drive off. After the
driver completely stops and holds
the vehicle in a complete standstill
on a grade, HSA will be
automatically activated. During the
transition period between when the
driver releases the brake pedal and
starts to accelerate to drive off on a
grade, HSA holds the braking
pressure to ensure that there is no